But today is not an ordinary day.
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| A Japanese anemone blooming - my little tribute |
Norma Jean Bauerschmidt
March 31, 1925 - September 30, 2016
They say we live our life in the "dash" - the dash that separates our birth date from our date of departure. For Norma Jean Bauerschmidt , she showed us a way to live our final days surrounded by love, aging with grace, and leaving this world with dignity.
At age 90, two days after the death of her husband in hospice, "Miss Norma" was told she had stage four uterine cancer. Her doctors told her "start treatment". But this World War II vet, once a member of the first Navy Nurses Corp, had other ideas.
Her son and daughter in law were in the position of being able to drive Miss Norma (and her white poodle, Ringo) in an RV. So, Miss Norma declined the recommended treatment of surgery, radiation, chemo. With her family, she traveled the United States, gathering fans as she traveled. Her family chronicled their journey.
In the above article, Miss Norma was quoted as saying: “Living life to the fullest is important.Do what you want because the doctors aren’t always right.”
Over one year and a road trip that started in Michigan and ended, a month or so ago, in Washington State, Miss Norma showed us how to live, before finally joining her husband and daughter.
Rest in peace, Miss Norma.
Beautiful story! Later today, I will visit with my 97-year-old mother. Every day is precious. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a good visit. You are so right - ever day is precious, and Miss Norma enriched the lives of each and every one of us who were touched in some way by her year long journey.
DeleteOh wow! I am glad she choose to do what she did. I am glad she is not in peace and no longer hurting.
ReplyDeleteI am glad she is finally at peace, too.
DeleteOh how incredible! Thank you for sharing this with us. RIP Norma.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was such an incredible story. I feel honored for the chance to have followed some of it.
DeleteWhat a beautiful story!
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful story - bless her son and daughter in law, for helping her with this journey, up to the very end.
DeleteThis is wonderful Alana. Norma sounds like she lived life on her own terms. Good journey Norma..
ReplyDeleteRest in peace, Norma.
DeleteNo regrets. Rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteWhat a journey it was. We can all hope that our final days will be filled with peace and love, the same that Miss Norma experienced.
DeleteWow, Alana, thanks for sharing this with us. It sounds like she made the best choice for her last year. Beautiful story.:)
ReplyDeleteIt was such a beautiful story. It was a privilege to share it with my readers.
DeleteLovely tribute. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt was my honor to share it.
DeleteTouching!Let her soul rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story it was. It was an honor to share it.
DeleteI had no idea. What a story.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story and how inspiring to hear of such people! RIP Norma! Thanks Alana for sharing her story with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about Norma. RIP.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a thought provoking post- loved her spirit and hope to god I age this bravely too
ReplyDeleteI remember reading this and thinking how much better her end of life was the way she chose to live it, rather than simply awaiting death.
ReplyDelete